Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon

Genus Lepus

No. 407. LEPUS RUFICAUDATUS.
The Common Indian Red-tailed Hare (Jerdon’s No. 207).

Native Names.—Khargosh, Kharra, Hindi; Sasru, Bengali; Mullol, Gondi.

Habitat.—India generally.

Description.—“General hue rufescent, mixed with blackish on the back and head; ears brownish anteriorly, white at the base, and the tip brown; neck, breast, flanks and limbs more or less dark sandy rufescent, unmottled; nape pale sandy rufescent; tail rufous above, white beneath; upper lip small; eye-mark, chin, throat, and lower parts pure white.”—Jerdon.

Size.—Head and body, 20 inches; tail, with hair, 4 inches; ear externally about 5 inches; maximum weight, about 5 lbs.

The Indian hare is generally found in open bush country, often on the banks of rivers, at least as far as my experience goes in the Central Provinces. Jerdon says, and McMaster corroborates his statement, that this species, as well as the next, take readily to earth when pursued, and seem to be well acquainted with all the fox-holes in their neighbourhood, and McMaster adds that they seem to be well aware which holes have foxes or not, and never go into a tenanted one.

The Indian hare is by no means so good for the table as the European one, being dry and tasteless, and hardly worth cooking.

No. 408. LEPUS NIGRICOLLIS.
The Black-naped Hare (Jerdon’s No. 208).

Native Names.—Khargosh, Hindi; Malla, Canarese; Sassa, Mahrathi; Musal, Tamil; Kundali, Telegu; Haba, Singhalese.

Habitat.—Southern India and Ceylon; stated to be found also in Sind and the Punjab.

Description.—“Upper part rufescent yellow, mottled with black; single hairs annulated yellow and black; chin, abdomen, and inside of hind-limbs downy white; a black velvety spot on the occiput and upper part of neck extending to near the shoulders; the spot under the neck is in some specimens of a bright yellow colour; ears long, greyish-brown, internally with white fringes, at the apical part dusky, posteriorly black at the base; feet yellowish; tail above grizzled with black and yellow, beneath white.”—Kellaart.

Size.—Head and body, 19 inches; tail, 2½ inches; ears, 4¾ inches.

A friend of Brigadier-General McMaster’s, writing to him, says: “The black-naped hare of the Neilgherries, which appears to be the same as that of the plains, only larger from the effect of climate, often, when chased by dogs, runs into holes and hollow trees. I have found some of the Neilgherry hares to be nearly, if not quite, equal to the English hares in flavour. I think a great deal depends upon keeping and cooking.”